Electric garment press



Aug. 28, 1928.

' 1,682,484 E. .1. cARRoLL ELECTRIC GARMENT PRESS Original Filed July 3l. 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet l @Hoz neg s Aug. 28, 1928.

E. J. CARROLL ELECTRIC GARMENTv PRESS 5 Sheets-Sheet .Orignal Filed July 3l. 1922 inve-nim M c1/M Aug. 28, 1928.

E. J. CARROLL ELECTRIC GARMENT PRESS 5 Sheets-Sheet vOriginal Filed July 31, 1922 Aug. 28, 192s.

E. J. CARROLL ELECTRIC GARMENT PRESS original Filed July :51. 1922 5 sheets-Sheet A innen oz Aug. 28, 1928.

E. J. CARROLL ELECTRIC GARMENT PRESS Original Filed July 3l 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet Patented Aug. 28, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE.

EMIL J'. CARROLL, OF NORWOOD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 THE AMERICAN LAUNDRY MA- CHINERY COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION F OHIO.

ELECTRIC GARMENT PRESS.

Original application 1ed July 31, 1922, Serial No. 578,702. Divided and this application tiled February 20, I

1926. Serial No. 89,805.

Serial No. 578,702.

The objects of this invention are to provide an improved means for cont-rolling the closing and opening of the press; more particularly to provide a garment press which can be set so as to remain closed upon effecting final pressure or can be set so as to autoinat-icall open after the final pressure has been etlcted; and to provide an electric motor means for performing the operations just now stated.

Other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description -and claims when considered together with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved device with parts broken away. Fig. 2 is a side View taken from the other side of the press and showing the head in closed posi. tion; Fig.` 3 is a detailed sectional View of the electric control means for the heating elements in the buck and head; Fig. 4 is another detailed view of the same heat control means taken on line 4 4, Fig. 2; Figs. 5 and 6 are detailed views showing the arrangement of the heating elements in the head and buck taken on lines`5-5 and 6-6, respectively of Fig. 1; Figs. 7 and 8 are detailed views of the snap switch which is 'operated by the operator, the casing being broken away; Figs. 9 and 10 are detailed views of the rotary control switch with the casing walls broken away; Fig. 11 is a detailed view of the plunger switch with the casing of the same broken away; Figs. 12, 13 and 14 show diagrammatically the different positionsv of the switch control mechanism during the cycle of operations of the press; and Fig. 15 is an electric diagram showing the arrangement and control of the heating elements in the head andbuck.

The vase or pedestal 1, which supports the buck 2, is provided with the upwardly eX- tending arm 3 upon which is pivotally mounted at the point 4 the lever arm '5 whichcarries the press head 6. The buck rovided with the heating means 7 and the head 6 is provided with the heating means 8, the details of which will later be described. The means for closing the pres's head upon the buck comprises the treadle 9 which is pivoted in the frame at the point 10 and is provided with the pedal 11 for depression by the operator. The link 12 is A pivoted at its one end to the lever 9 as indicated at the point 13 and at its other endeat the point 14 to one end of a lever which is pivoted at the point 15 in the frame of the machine. The other end of this lever is pivoted at the point 16 to the one end of a. link 17 and constitutes therewith a toggle lever. The other end of the arm 17 is pivoted at the point 18 to the joint between the toggle which comprises the link 19 and the rod 20. The link 19 is pivoted at thepoint 21 to the auxiliary link 22, the otherv end of which is pivoted in the frame at the point 23. The link 22 forms with the arm 19, another toggle for effecting final pressure as will later appear. The rod 20 has swivel connection at the point 24 with the lever arm 5 and is provided with the spring 25. Upon depressing the treadle 11 the toggles including the arms 17, 19 and 2O are brought to substantially straightened position, `so as to lower the head 6 upon the buck 2, this means as thus far described constituting what might be termed the means for effecting initial closing pressure upon the work.

The final pressure is effected by straightening the toggle link 22 so as 'to occupy the position illustrated in Fig. 2, this operation being effected by means of an electric motor 26 which is automatically set into operation upon closing the press head upon the work, the final pressure being effected through the connections to be now described. The motor 26 operates the worin section 27 which meshes with the gear 28 which has fixed upon its shaft 29 the pinion'30. The shaft 31 of the cam member 32 is driven by its gear 33 meshing with the pinion 30. This cam member has formed upon its one face a cam portion and upon its other face there is provided the pin 34 which is adapted to engage in the composite slot 35 formed in the cam member 36 which extends from the toggle link 22 for the operation thereof.

The cam 32 is adapted to engage and operate other end to the rod 39 connected to the latch member 40. The latch member 40 is pivoted in the frame of the machine and is adapted to engage the roller 41 carried by the treadle upon depression of the same.

These arts are so constructed and arranged to engage over the roller 41 and to remain in such a position until it is permitted to be withdrawn by action of the spring 42 which normally tends to force the arm 37 in a direction toward the right as viewed in 'lgs a means of automatically closing the circuit through the motor upon lowering the press head upon the'buck, the plunger switch 43 enclosed within the caslng 44, which is suitably mounted upon the frame of the machine, is closed rby means of the lever 45 ivoted at the point 46 and providedwit the extension or arm 47 which is adapted to engage the plunger rod of the switch 43. This operation is effected by the lever arm 17 engaging the projection 48 on the lever arm 45 upon straightening of the toggles in order to create the initial pressure upon the work. In order to close the circuit through the motor it is also Vnecessary for the operator to close another switch illustrated in detail in Figs. 7 and 8, which switch may be closed either before or after lowerin the head upon the buck. This switch 1s manipulated by means of the handle 49 which is pivoted upon the arm 50 for operating the rod 51 connected at itsother end to the stem 52 which extends into the switch casing 53. Having its one end secured to the stem 52 there is provided a s ring 54 whosey other end is connected to e rock arm 55 ivoted at 56 to the bracket 57. The contact racket 57 is mounted upon the insulator member 58 suitabl secured within the casing and is provide -with the binding post 59. The contact blade 60, which is mounted upon the rocker Aarm 55, is adapted to be snapped into contact with either of the contact members 61 and 62 which are mounted upon the insulator member 58 and which are provided with binding posts 63 and 64 respectively. Thus it will be seen that upon manipulation of the handle 49 the contact blade 60 may be snapped into position so as to close the circuit through either of the contacts 61 and 62, the spring 54 holding the blade 60 in such position past dead center. Thus with the switches Just now described in closed positionth motor will be set in operation to effect final pressure upon the work.

'throng Mounted upon the cam shaft 31 there is provided an automatic switch control which is operated by the motor, this switch mechanism being suitably enclosed within the casing 65 whichhas an ear 66 by which the casing can be adjusted to different positions and secured in such said position by means of a screw bolt or the like extending through the slot 67 and engaging the frame of the machine. `Adjustably mounted within the casing are the insulator segments 68 and 69 which. by means of the screw bolts 70 and 71 and the slots 72 and 73 through which the bolts extend. may be adjusted for the purpose of timing the operation of the rotary control switch with respect to the position of the head in its lowering operation. Suitably secured to the insulator segments are the electric contact segments 74 and 75 provided with the binding posts 76 and 77. These contact segments are curved inwardly at oneend. as indicated at-78 and 79` for a purpose which will later appear. The insulator bushing 80 is the contact ring 82 which has electric connection with the strips 83 extending along the bushing and secured at their inner ends to the bracket 84 upon which is pivotally mounted the contact shoe 85 adapted to engage the contact segments 74 and 75 under pressure of the spring 86. By having the ends of the contact segments curved as at the points 78 and 79, the con tact shoe 85 will move from the end of one contact segment to the adjacent end of the other with a decided snap action. Pivotally mounted upon the bracket arm 87, which is suitably mounted upon the insulator segment 69, is the contact shoe 88 which by means of the spring 89 is normally forced into contact with the contact rin 82. The linding post 90 is provided for t e bracket By referring to the diagrams shown 'in Figs. 12, 13 and 14, it will be seen that upon closing the press head u on the buck theV plunger switch will be c osed. And with the contact shoe 85 in the position indicated 1n F1 12 circuit will be established the motor so as to start the same. This circuit may be followed thus: from the positive side of the main line through wire 91, contact shoe 85, contact fsegment 74, plunger switch 43, wire 92, contact 6l of the toggle switch, throughy the binding post 59 and through the wire 93, through motor 26 and out to the negative side of the main line. This circuit will continue and the motor will continue to operate so as to effect final pressure until the contact shoe 85 leaves the contact segment 75; at which moment the circuit will be broken since contact segment 75 is not in the motor circuit.

lll

Thus the dll press may remain locked in closed position and under final pressure for as long a. time as desired. f

Then when it is desired to release the press and to open the same the operator will move the handle 49 in a direction toy the right, as viewed in Fig. 2, so as to snap the blade 60 into engagement with the contact 62, thereby establishing circuit through contact segment 75 whereuponth'e motor will be again set in operation. The operation of the motor will release the latch from the treadle and will break the toggle 19 and 22 `so as to permit the press head to open under influence of the spring 96. The plunger switch is also returned to open osition.` This circuit may be followed thus: rom\the positive side of the main line through wire 91, contact shoe 85, contact segment 7 5, wire 97, through contact 62 of the toggle switch out through binding post 59 to wire 93 and the motor 26 to the negative side of the main line. This opening operation of the motor will continue until the contact shoe 85 passes on to the segment 74 which is not now in the motor circuit; whereupon the motor will stop, the ress being now in open position after having passed through the complete cycle of closing and opening movements.

IIn the present case I have provided an additional auxiliary electric circuit whereby the control mechanism may be set so as to either stop the motor upon straightening the link 22, as in the manner above recited, or may be set so as to automatically release and open the press immediately after effecting final pressure. This auxiliary circuit is controlled by the operator by means of the hand switch 98 which when closed will operate in the following manner. Referring to Fig. 12 and supposing the switch 98 to be closed, 'the final pressure will upon closing the press be effected through the operation of the motor in the same manner as above described. When, however, the contact shoe 85 passes into engagement with the contact segment 75, the motor will not stop Y as is in thel first case, but will continue to operate. In this case the circuitpmay be traced as follows: from the positive side of the main line through wire 91, contact shoe 85, contact segment 75, wire 97, wire 102, switch 98, wire 103, wire 93 through the motor 26 to the negative side of the main line. Thus it will be seen that according to whether the switch 98 is open or closed the press will perform either ahalf cycle or a full cycle of closing and opening movements. I have provided also a means for regulating the heat of the head and buck according to whether the press is in open or closed position. Suitably secured, as for instance by means' of screws, to the head and buck,

are the heat conducting casings 7 yand 8 shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6, theseP casings enclosing the heating elements in the form of resistance coils across which extend the retaining plates 105 and 106. The ordinary coverings may be used upon the head and buck. The heating elements in the buck are indicated b reference numeral 107, the heatin the buc being the same at all times during use of the press except as the heat mav be turned ofi` by the operator entirely. n the press head, however, I have provided a series of heating elements so as as to produce low, medium or high heat according to the number of heating elements thrown into the circuit. The elements for low heat are indicated by reference numeral 108; those for medium heat by reference numeral 110, it being understood that the low heat elements are energized as part of 'all three degrees of heat and that the medium heating elements form a part of the high heat. The means for controlling the degree of heat comprises an insulator hub 111 mounted upon the axis of arm 5 for rotation therewith upon opening and closing the head. Suitably secured about the insulator head 111 I have provided a number, four being here shown, of annular contact members 112, 113, 114, and 115, the first two named being full rings and corresponding to the low heat elements; whereas the other contact elements 114 and 115 are merely partial rings and correspond to the medium and high heats respectively. A battery ofcontact fingers 116, 117, 118 and 119 are suitably mounted as shown in Figs. 3 and 4f of the drawings so as to have contact with the contact members 112, 115, respectively. These parts are so constructed and arranged that when the press head is open, as in Fig. 1, only the heating` elements 108 are in circuit, or in other words, the press head isv subjected to only low heat. This will be more fully understood 'by reference to Fig. 15. The circuit including the heatin elements is controlled by the main switc 120 and also cut-out switch 121. The switch 122 corresponds to the high heat and switch 123 corresponds to medium heat. Thus it will be seen that upon closing the switch 120, and with switches 122 and 123 open, the

:switch 121 being in normally closed posi-` tion, the current willpass from the positive side of the main line through wire 124, closed switch 121, contact ring 112, wire 125, low heat elements 108, Wire 126 and out through contact ring 113 to the negative side of the main line. The low-heat units are each 11G-volt heaters, two of them in series making up 220 volt service. The medium and high heat units are each 220 volt heaters and are arranged in parallel. The low heat units are arranged about the marginal 0rtion of the press so as to heat the edges rst, conduction producing a fairly even distribution of heat. The medium and high heat units are arranged diagonally for the same purpose of even distribution of heat.

Then upon the switch 123 being closed b the operator, a medium heat may be egected upon closing the ress. The circuit may then be traced as ollows: from the positive side of the main line Vthrough the closed switch 120, and through circuit just now described for low heat. In addition to this there will also be established thecircuit from the positive side of the main line through switch'120, wire 127, closed switch' 123, wire 128, contact segment 114, wire 129, heating elements 109, contact ring 113, and the closed switch 121 to the negative side of the main line.

Then when it is desired to effect high heat, the switch 122 will be closed by the operator and upon closing` the press head the following circuit will be established in addition to the low and medium heat circuits just now described; from the positive side of the main line through switch 120, closed switch 122, wire 130, contact segment 115, wire 131, heating elements 110, Contact ring 113, and closed switch 121 to the negative side of the main line. The deUree of heat which is desired for the press head upon closing the same ma be varied by opening or closing either o the switches 122 and 123 and the heat can be cut oif entirel from the press head by opening the switc 121. The

eat can b cut olf from both the head and buck by opening switch 120.

What I claim is:

1. A garment press, comprising relatively movable pressing members, electric motor means for operating said pressing members, circuits and controllin switch means for said motor means effective to cause the same to move the pressing members through two half cycles, one to bring them to rest in full pressure position and the other to brin them to rest in release or open position, an additional control means for the circuits of said motor means effective to cause the same to move the pressing members continuously through a full cycle fromrelease osition to full pressure position and then ack to release position, said additional control means being adapted to control said controlling switch means for said motor means so as to cause said pressing members to move according to either plan.

2. A garment press, comprising relatively movable pressing members, electric motor means for operating said pressing members, a two segment commutator operating in step with pressure and release of the pressing members, alternative circuits connected to the segments thereof and to said motor means for controlling the latter to cause the pressing members to move through two half cycles, one to produce pressure and the other to produce release, an operator operated switch for selecting either of said alternative circuits, a switch in the press releasing alternative circuit o erated by pressure releasing movement ol said pressing members, and optionally operative switch means for maintaining the second alternative circuit closed at all times independently of said selecting switch, whereby optionally said selecting switch may be caused to produce half cycle or full cycle operation of said pressing members.

In testimony whereof I hereby afiix my signature.

EMIL J. CARROLL. 

